Seanad referendum - Taoiseach’s arrogant power grab

It is outrageous that, as people up and down the country prepare to cast their votes in tomorrow’s referenda on abolishing the Seanad and establishing a court of appeal, the electorate is in the dark on why Taoiseach Enda Kenny wants to get rid of the Upper House.

Amid claim and counter-claim, campaigners for its retention accuse Fine Gael of a naked power grab. The Government says it is saving money by ridding Irish politics of elite senators elected on an undemocratic ticket, but opponents claim the estimate of €20m is shot through with inaccuracies.

Of major concern is the lack of public insight as to why Mr Kenny wants to axe Seanad Éireann. By refusing to debate the issue, he is adopting a time-worn custom of mushroom cultivation — keep voters in the dark and cover them liberally with manure.